The LuLac Edition #4 875, December 28th, 2022

 

TOP 5 INTERNATIONAL STORIES

1.       UKRAINE: On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has likely resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II.

2.       NATO EXPANSION: Finland and Sweden joined NATO at the same time, their prime ministers presenting a united front to Turkey which has raised questions about both their applications. The Nordic neighbors asked to join the alliance in May in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but ran into objections from Turkey which accused the two of harboring groups it deems terrorists.

3.       QUEEN ELIZABETH DIES: On 8 September 2022, at 15:10 BST, Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, and the longest-reigning British monarch, died of old age at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, at the age of 96. The Queen's death was publicly announced at 18:30. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III.

4.       JAPANESE OFFICIAL SHOT: former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe was shot dead during a political rally. Eyewitness videos posted online show the 67-year-old political giant calmly giving a campaign speech in the western city of Nara when a cloud of smoke emerges after the boom of an initial shot. Abe and those around him seem confused at first, with the ex-prime minister slowly turning in the direction of the initial boom — just to be felled by a second blast around three seconds later.

5.       BIDEN INCREASES TROOP PRESENCE IN EUROPE: The move belies efforts by Russian President Vladimir Putin to shatter the Trans-Atlantic alliance. "NATO is strong, united, and the steps we're taking during this summit are going to further augment our collective strength," Biden said. "To that end, today, I'm announcing the United States will enhance our force posture in Europe to respond to the change [in the] security environment, as well as strengthening our collective security."  The president's announcement comes on the heels of a surge of 20,000 U.S. service members to Europe to defend alliance countries in the face of Putin's unprovoked and unnecessary war on Ukraine. There are now more than 100,000 U.S. service members serving in Europe with many along the eastern front of the alliance.